A proof of the N-FINDR algorithm for the automated detection of endmembers in a hyperspectral image

N-FINDR, an automated end-member detection and unmixing algorithm, was first proposed four years ago. Since then, the algorithm has been used successfully in a number of situations. The apparent success of the N-FINDR algorithm is a strong motivator for a complete review of its approach, from its assumptions to its implementation details. This paper reviews the approach used in N-FINDR, and makes a theoretical argument that the algorithm works. The algorithm can be proven to work perfectly on theoretically perfect data. Moreover, N-FINDR can be shown to have good (although imperfect) convergence properties with non-ideal data.